Code of Conduct
As a team member, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.
- Kids are #1!
- Fun - not winning - is everything
- Practice proper physical distancing
- Set a proper example of sportsmanship
- Players Play, Fans cheer and Coaches coach
- Respect the volunteer referees... we couldn't do it without them!
- No yelling, swearing or abusive behavior
- No weapons, alcohol, tobacco or drugs
- Leave no trash behind
- Celebrate the player - win or lose
Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their/your team is very important. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!
Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Be aware of this fact and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports.
Remember: Your Child Wants To Have Fun
Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team. Children play for the fun of playing.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and overcome their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.
Don't Be A Sideline Coach Or Referee
AYSO coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too. That means refrain from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. In a volunteer organization like AYSO there's always an opportunity to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!
AYSO has always encouraged good sportsmanship in its programs. In fact, "Good Sportsmanship" is one of the philosophies listed in the AYSO National Bylaws. AYSO strongly recommends that its individual teams promote good sportsmanship through dynamic instruction.
We figure that if players, volunteers and parents understand what is expected of them when it comes to good sportsmanship, that’s probably how they will act. AYSO is proud of its many good sports, but understands that good sportsmanship doesn’t just happen. It needs to be taught, encouraged and demonstrated.
Sportsmanship
In order to promote good sportsmanship throughout the region, the following is of importance. A primary focus of all of our coaches, referees, team managers, board members, and spectators should be to instill a sense of good sportsmanship in our youth. As adults, we are the role models for our youth. It is imperative that we support and show them the ability to win, and lose, while maintaining the highest levels of sportsmanship.
In the spirit of AYSO, all participants are requested to make all AYSO activities a positive experience for all of the players, his/her own players as well as the opposing players. Spectators or Volunteers that demonstrate the inability to make this a positive environment for our youth may be asked not to return. Additionally, should circumstances warrant, a volunteer may be removed from his/her position during the season.
Player Dismissals
- Players issued red cards will be ejected immediately and will sit out for the next game.
- Players who accumulate 3 yellow cards (over the season) will be required to sit out their next game. Upon earning the third (single) yellow card, the player should be notified that they cannot play in the next match.
- This yellow card accumulation policy does not apply to game in which a player is shown two yellow cards, leading to a red card. This policy applies only to single issues of yellow cards.
Any serious misconduct by a player, parent, or any volunteer must immediately be reported to the
Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA).
